Some law enforcement officials are actively exploring new ways to use technology — ranging from advanced surveillance methods to tracking social media to monitor criminal suspects — but in other cases it turns out to be the criminals’ own use of technology that winds up blowing the whistle on them. Here are two recent instances where that’s exactly what happened.

Take the case of Cathy Bernstein, a 57-year-old Port St. Lucie, Florida woman, who ran her black Ford Escort into a silver-covered van loaded with Christmas presents. She sped away from the accident site, as the injured van owner reported the hit-and-run, and was taken to a nearby hospital.

Unfortunately for Bernstein, her car was equipped with SYNC, a 911 assist system, that automatically dials the police whenever one of the vehicle’s airbags is deployed, gives the police the vehicle’s location and connects them online. When a police phone operator called her, Bernstein denied she had been in an accident, saying she had just braked strongly to avoid colliding with a car that had suddenly pulled out in front of her.

Skeptical of the claim, the police operator sent a squad car to Bernstein’s home, where the cops discovered the Ford’s airbag deployed, and its front end smashed and marked with silver paint from the van she had hit.

After first changing her story (to claim the damage to her car came from running into a tree), Bernstein eventually admitted not only the hit-and-run episode with the silver van, but also confessed when she hit the van, she had been escaping from an earlier hit-and-run incident, in which she had plowed into a truck. After being treated for her injuries, Bernstein was taken to the Port St. Lucie jail.

An even more striking example of technology coming back to bite a criminal suspect using it came in a 30-year-old murder investigation in Wilmington, Delaware. In July 1985, 54-year-old Joseph Braun, was found bludgeoned to death in his home there.

The murder investigation went nowhere, until 1999, when relatives of the dead man implicated Sandra Hartzag, the former girlfriend of another, now-deceased family member. Evidence linked her to having been present at the murder site, and police suspected she had escaped in a car belonging to the victim, which was found abandoned in Philadelphia.

But Hartzag could not be found, and the trial went quiet — until this October, when the Delaware County’s relatively new two-man cold-case unit reopened the case. To their delight, they found Hartzag had an active Facebook profile. They used it to track her to Dalton, Georgia, nearly 700 miles away, where. She was found living far off the grid in a homeless encampment, and had apparently been living in the area for about three years.

She was brought in for questioning, and eventually extradited to Delaware and charged with murder, robbery, conspiracy and use of a lethal weapon during a felony. A spokesman for the local Georgia police force observed that, but for Facebook, Hartzag probably “wouldn’t be sitting in jail today.”

The client was charged with driving while impaired by drugs. We showed the DA’s office the client suffered from hyperkalemia, a medical condition caused by an elevated level of potassium which can cause fatigue, lethargy and confusion. All charges were dismissed.

Client was charged with Robbery in the Second Degree. He was with a friend who robbed a person sitting in a parked car. We were able to show the DA’s office that our client had no knowledge of his friends intent. We were able to get the felony reduced to a Disorderly Conduct which is a non criminal offense.

Client was charged with Criminal Posession of a Weapon and was facing a minimum of three and one half years. During an evidentiary hearing we were able to show that the police confuted an illegal search the gun was suppressed and the charge was dismissed.

Client was charged with Grand Larceny. It was her 7th arrest during the previous 10 years. The DA’s office was not offering a reduced charge and was requesting jail time. We got the client involved in a work and parenting program and were able to secure a plea to a misdemeanor without jail or probation.

Client was charged with Unlawful Surveilence. After his plea of guilty it was a discretionary decision to be made by the court as to weather he had to register as a sex offender. Through our efforts we were able to have him sentenced without having to register.

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T.T.Charged with Felony Assault and Criminal Mischief in Queens County

"Scott Limmer is a very knowledgeable Nassau County NY lawyer and has been extremely helpful to me and my family over 8 months of court. He knows how to handle the ADA and his tenacity has been untiring. The quality of his work is in the ending of the case, with justice being served and correct. We are very fortunate and thankful to have found Scott Limmer to represent us. Thank you Scott and God Bless"

F.L.Arrested for Robbery in the Second Degree in Nassau County

"Scott Limmer is a man of his word and an attorney with integrity above reproach. When one needs a criminal attorney it is usually the most harrowing time of your life. Scott Limmer makes a horrible situation easier. He speaks in layman’s terms and explains your situation every step of the way. He keeps the costs to a minimum and delivers beyond expectations. I would recommend choosing Scott Limmer as your attorney hands down."

A.O.Arrested for Suffolk County Felony

"I was arrested for a felony Mr. Limmer would not agree to any of the offered plea bargains. He was able to get the case dismissed. I can’t thank him enough for his hard work and professionalism."

D.D.Arrested for Falsifying Business Record in the First Degree in Nassau

"Scott helped me thru a very difficult 20 months of navigating thru the Nassau county legal system. His advice was on the money from the start to the end. Amicable, tenacious and knowledgeable, just some of the words to describe him…In the end I credit his guidance in helping me get the just court decision…But then again he knew the outcome….thanks Scott…we remain in touch to this day and my case was over almost two years ago…"

T.C.Arrested for Assault in the Third Degree in Nassau County

"Helped me thoroughly with all my traffic dealings. He is my go to guy for my company. Scott is the best."